Shiatsu Therapy
Shiatsu is an ancient Japanese healing technique. The term is made up of two Japanese words: ‘shi’, which means finger, and ‘atsu’, which means pressure. Shiatsu literally means pressure using fingers. It is a therapy which is given by pressuring certain points in your body using the fingers.
Shiatsu has for long been used to treat the common physiological and psychological ailments. This is performed by applying slight pressure on the various pressure points of the body. This therapy is considered the Japanese version of the popular Chinese therapy of acupressure. Some of the disorders that can be treated using Shiatsu massage are cramps, nausea, anxiety, depression, stiffness, arthritis and headaches.
Shiatsu Theory and Practice
Shiatsu theory and practice are based on two principal schools of thought. The first one is the theory of the anatomy and physiology and the second is based on ancient Chinese medication. In Japan, this is considered a legal alternative to medicine and there are licensed parlors where shiatsu is practiced. Because of its western and Chinese influences, shiatsu massage therapy is also considered one of the most progressive massage therapies.
Due to its many benefits, shiatsu massage has become extremely popular. Already considered a viable treatment option for many minor disorders, shiatsu treatment can both be received as well as learnt. For those who want shiatsu massage training, there are a lot of training alternatives available. There are many different licensed training centers all over the world where you can learn the shiatsu massage technique and the course would include training in shiatsu theory and practice. Before learning how to perform the massage, you will first be familiarized with the anatomy of the body and the various pressure points which can be triggered to treat various disorders.
In the shiatsu massage technique, stress is laid on the two meridians of the body. These two meridians, one which runs along the back of the body and another which runs along the front, are considered vital in understanding the pressure points. Once your problem area is diagnosed, pressure is applied on your knees, toes, feet, and then on the elbows, knuckles, palms, and thumbs. It is believed that the two meridians draw the chi in the body and regulate it. These are connected to each other through a series of trigger points through which the chi energy flows. When pressure is applied on the trigger points, a healthier amount of chi begins to flow through them, flushing away the pain or the discomfort caused due to the specific disorder.
Natural Oils for Head Massage:
Head massages with oil, herbs and some essential oils are extremely beneficial in relieving stress, nourishing the scalp, improving circulation and also in removing toxins. It is very beneficial in treating some hair and scalp ailments like hair loss, dandruff and premature graying. Various types of oils are used and each has its own benefits when used regularly to massage the head. A warm oil massage is exceptionally useful as it moisturizes the scalp and keeps the hair lubricated and conditioned. Using natural herbal oils for head massage not only makes the scalp soft and supple, but also strengthens the hair roots thus preventing hair loss and promoting growth of stronger and healthier, smoother and easier to handle hair. The muscles around the neck are also relaxed leading to reduced stress and better sleep.
A head massage with olive oil helps open the pores and thus lets the scalp breathe and detoxify. Sesame seed oil also works similarly and additionally helps make the scalp soft and reduces stiffness. Almond oil is used to massage the head to nourish the scalp with essential vitamins. Coconut oil has a cooling effect thus relieving stress and preventing hair loss and graying. Jasmine oil is also a stress buster and very relaxing. Rosemary helps stimulate the hair follicles thus promoting growth along with retarding premature graying and thinning while soothing and conditioning the scalp. Lavender too stimulates growth while balancing the oil production in the scalp and replenishing it. Hibiscus leaves and flower buds help in maintaining the natural hair color and condition the hair. Tea tree oil strengthens the hair follicles.
Head massages at home are simple. To make an effective oil add 3 drops each of tea tree oil and lavender essential oil along with 4 drops of rosemary essential oil to half a cup of olive oil. Warm the mixture enough to be able to handle it comfortably. Use your fingers to apply the oil evenly all over the head, a little at a time to the scalp, by parting the hair. It is beneficial to apply some along the length of the hair as well. Massage the oil into the scalp with circular motions using the fingers, slow and soft movements will relax the scalp where as strong movements will enhance circulation in the scalp. The head should be covered with a shower cap for 40 to 60 minutes. Better results can be achieved by using a hot towel wrap (soak a towel in hot water and wring it out). Using a mild shampoo to wash the oil off is recommended.
Eating Disorders Types:
Eating disorders are unhealthy eating habits that may be either insufficient eating or excessive eating. These disorders are more common in women than men. The most common disorders of this type are anorexia, bulimia, and binge eating. Anorexia is characterized by extremely low body weight and an extreme fear of gaining excess weight. People suffering from bulimia may have a tendency to eat and vomit, which is known as purging. Binge eating is excessive eating, not out of hunger but out of emotional upset such as depression or anxiety.
The symptoms of anorexia are serious weight loss, large scale hair loss, yellow colored skin, feeling cold and growth of delicate hair on face and body. Sensitiveness to all kinds of food, increasing number of dental cavities, bloodshot eyes, distended cheeks or enlarged face are a result of purging. The symptoms for bulimia are inconvenience in swallowing, hurting throat, keeping laxatives, diet pills or diuretics and sudden weight loss. Binge eating can show symptoms such as inability to stop eating, gobbling food out of anxiety or depression and having meals hurriedly.
The causes behind these eating disorders are many. They can be psychological, biological, genetic or environmental. Some of the general psychological causes behind eating disorders are, a poor self image regarding weight and body shape, poor parenting, family history of emotional disorders or obesity. Most teenagers face a lot of social pressure to look good and slim. Peer pressure plays a major role in these disorders. However, surveys have found that most girls want to lose weight because their mothers urge them to. Advertisers and media today have also idealized anorexic models in the minds of today’s teenagers. Many eating disorders today are also caused by the increasing popularity of junk food among the youth. The other reasons behind these eating disorders are related to the hormonal imbalances and genetics.
Treatment for eating disorders can include counseling therapy, herbal remedies, yoga and massage therapy. It is important for the person with the disorder to talk about the reasons or their fears which compel them to indulge in such behavior. This can help them improve their self worth and self image. It also helps them overcome their fears and accept themselves the way they are. Some herbs are useful in reducing stress, which is a major reason behind these disorders. Herbal tea helps reducing stress, and a mixture of certain herbs such as chamomile, echinacea, comfrey and St John’s Wort could prove helpful too. Massage therapy also helps relax the senses and reduce high levels of stress.
Relaxation Therapy Techniques
What is Relaxation Therapy?
Relaxation therapy is a method of treatment and achieving relaxation, which involves the use of the power of the mind and body. The main focus of relaxation therapy is the repetition of a word, prayer or a sound, and a body sensation. Relaxation therapy reduces the metabolism level and makes a person relaxed, thereby preventing negative thoughts. Practices such as meditation, yoga, Tai Chi, to name a few, are all forms of relaxation therapy. These disciplines help one in treating chronic pain, insomnia, stress, and anxiety. There are two methods that are used in most forms of relaxation therapy – brief methods and deep methods. Brief methods involve paced respiration and self-controlled respiration. Autogenic training, meditation, and progressive muscle relaxation fall under the deep methods category.
Types of Relaxation Therapy
Deep method relaxation therapy relaxes both the mind and the body. For example, in autogenic training, the person is required to imagine that he is in peaceful surroundings and is also experiencing pleasing bodily sensations. The focus in this training is on the body, and the body parts are made to feel heavy, warm, or cool. Autogenic training also regulates the heartbeat. Meditation has been used since time immemorial to relax the body and mind. There are various categories in meditation as well – “mindfulness meditation”, in which the person concentrates and observes the thoughts and body sensations that he experiences while meditating. She is also required to not be judgmental about these thoughts and sensations. Then there are also yoga and walking meditation, which use physical discipline like controlled breathing, specific postures, and slow and deliberate movements for relaxation. In transcendental meditation, a word or chant is repeated a number of times so that the person can focus on it. It also involves a thought or light to be concentrated on. Another type of relaxation therapy is biofeedback, in which body changes (like temperature and brain waves) are monitored by an instrument. The person uses this mapped information for deep relaxation. Another technique is progressive muscle relaxation, in which the person has to tense or relax each of the major muscle groups.
The brief method is in many ways just a shorter, more concise version of the deep method, and is not as elaborate and time consuming. For instance, in deep breathing, a person has to simply take a deep breath, hold it for about 5 seconds before releasing it slowly. However, in paced respiration the breathing is slow and deliberate, and sustained for longer. Self-control meditation is progressive muscle relaxation in a less elaborate form.
